The coaches of both Alabama and Georgia have not yet turned their attention to one another. That was the assertion made on Wednesday as both teams prepare for their highly anticipated top-four showdown in Tuscaloosa on September 28.
Currently, the second-ranked Bulldogs (3-0, 1-0 SEC) and the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide (3-0, 0-0) have been concentrating on enhancing their respective teams and players during practice this week.
However, it’s certain that assistant coaches and support staff are conducting in-depth analyses of their upcoming opponent behind the scenes.
Despite having eight more games scheduled after this unique regular-season meeting at Bryant-Denny Stadium (7:30 p.m., ABC), the result of this clash is likely to resonate throughout the rest of the season.
Fortunately for both teams, the SEC has provided a bye week ahead of this matchup, allowing Georgia and Alabama to focus on their preparations without distractions.
“We’ve been focused on developing personal-improvement plans for each player, along with performing quality control across special teams, offense, and defense while also dedicating time to recruiting during this break,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart explained during the SEC coaches’ teleconference on Wednesday.
Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer shared similar sentiments: “The coaching staff is engaged in game-planning and breakdowns.
Our players are participating in workouts, and we’ll begin studying Georgia on Thursday and Friday. We’ll give our guys Saturday off from the facility and then resume preparations on Sunday.”
Georgia will take a break on Friday and Saturday, allowing coaches to recruit and enjoy a rare weekend at home to watch football.
The upcoming Saturday marks the first of two bye weeks for both teams. The Bulldogs will also have an open date on October 26, just before facing Florida in Jacksonville. Alabama will enjoy another bye week before their matchup against LSU in Baton Rouge on November 9.
The 2024 season is particularly unique, allowing for 14 regular-season weeks leading up to conference championship Saturday, a departure from the usual 13 weeks.
The last time this format was utilized was in 2019, during which Georgia had a bye before both the Tennessee and Florida games. Prior to that, it occurred in 2013 and 2014.
This early-season open weekend is a rarity, contrasting with the typical mid- to late-season breaks that are more common.
Smart remarked, “I wouldn’t say it’s strange, but it is different. Managing this situation is crucial. Are all bye weeks the same? Are they created equally?
We had to look back to when we last had two in one season and analyze how we used them. Bye weeks can serve different purposes, and ours come at distinct times, so we will approach them differently.”
Smart has effectively utilized these additional preparation periods in the past. The Bulldogs have emerged victorious in their last 21 games when granted more than one week to prepare for an opponent.
At first glance, the statistics suggest a comparable matchup to recent Alabama-Georgia games during Smart’s tenure as head coach of the Bulldogs. Alabama appears to possess the stronger offensive unit, while Georgia has established itself as the superior defensive team.
Among SEC teams, the Bulldogs consistently rank in the top three for most defensive categories, with the exception of rushing yards allowed, where they sit at 10th (110.7 yards per game).
Georgia leads the conference in pass defense (91.33) and ranks third in total defense (184) and points allowed (6.0). Remarkably, UGA has not conceded a touchdown in any of their three games.
Alabama, meanwhile, holds the third spot in the league for scoring (49.0) and fifth for rushing (238 yards per game) and rushing touchdowns (13).
Under the guidance of quarterback Jalen Milroe, the Tide is not passing the ball as frequently as in previous seasons, averaging 228.7 passing yards per game, which places them 11th in the SEC, just behind Georgia’s Carson Beck (256.7).
Much of the buzz surrounding Alabama this year centers on 17-year-old freshman receiver Ryan Williams, who has amassed 285 yards and four touchdowns across three games, outpacing several of Alabama’s all-time great wide receivers through their first three games, including Julio Jones (107 yards, two touchdowns), Jerry Jeudy (107 yards, one touchdown), Calvin Ridley (87 yards, no touchdowns), Amari Cooper (73 yards, one touchdown), and DeVonta Smith (24 yards, no touchdowns).
“Ryan is an incredibly gifted player, someone we recruited and observed multiple times,” Smart said. “He has a wonderful personality and is a joy to be around.”
Alabama enters this game following victories over Western Kentucky, South Florida, and a commanding 42-10 win on the road against Wisconsin.
Georgia defeated then-No. 14 Clemson 34-3 in Atlanta, followed by a 48-3 triumph over Tennessee Tech and a narrow one-point victory against Kentucky (13-12) last week.
As he enters his ninth season, Smart has led the Bulldogs through one of the most successful periods in the program’s history.
With national championships in 2021 and 2022 under their belt, Georgia boasts an impressive 49-2 record over its last 51 games and extended its regular-season winning streak to 42 games following Saturday’s win against Kentucky.
Despite this success, Alabama remains a formidable opponent for Smart. After nine seasons with the Tide, he holds a record of 1-5 against them, with all losses coming at the hands of his former boss, Nick Saban.
Only one of those losses occurred during the regular season, a 41-24 defeat in Tuscaloosa during the SEC-only, 10-game schedule of 2020.
The remaining four losses were sustained in SEC or College Football Playoff Championship games, with Georgia defeating Alabama 33-18 to claim the 2021 CFP championship in Indianapolis.
DeBoer is keenly aware of this history. Although he and Smart do not share a personal connection, he has learned much about Smart’s legacy and impact at Alabama, as well as the rivalry that has intensified between their two programs over the past six years.
“With time, you naturally absorb more knowledge about the history and the stakes surrounding the game,” DeBoer noted on Wednesday. “As we approach the bye week leading into the Georgia game, it’s clear this is our first conference matchup against a team that ranks first or second, depending on the rankings.
They consistently bring their best every Saturday. They are exceptionally well-coached, and we understand that this will be a test for us. The focus is solely on the game.”
While Smart and DeBoer may not be complete strangers, they have connected during SEC football coaches’ meetings and various league events.
“I’ve observed from a distance the impressive work he’s accomplished, not only at Georgia but throughout his career,” DeBoer commented. “It’s evident that he goes to great lengths to enhance the game.
He’s one of those coaches who advocates for improvements in college football. I’ve been really impressed with his involvement at meetings and other events. His experience gives him an advantage in our league.”
Coaches Keep Focused on Improvement
This week has a feeling of anticipation before the upcoming clash. Both teams are hopeful that some key players will return to health. Georgia’s starting right guard, Tate Ratledge, is recovering from an ankle injury suffered against Kentucky.
The senior, a preseason All-American, has already undergone tightrope surgery and is aiming for a return after the season’s second bye week. Additionally, the Bulldogs are eager for defensive linemen Mykel Williams (ankle), Warren Brinson (leg), and Jordan Hall (leg) to return to the field.
However, Georgia will leave those concerns for the following week. Smart expressed his eagerness to spend Saturday watching college football on television, although he anticipates he won’t enjoy it like a typical fan.
“I’ll watch our opponents if they are on,” Smart said. “I’m not trying to take notes or anything like that; I’ll obtain a coaches’ copy and game footage for that.
If anything, I’ll be observing game management and how other teams are approaching their games. I’m simply looking forward to the opportunity to watch games.”
